Anyone else hoping that Microsoft isn't the operating system that powers tomorrow? Imagine you just make the jump to hyperspace and the computer crashes and won't tell you what the hell is going on. Or you are sling-shotting around the sun to travel back in time and save the whales and you get the blue screen of death. What would you do?I think once I had it up and running again I might pay a certain bespectacled uber-rich nerd a visit.

Neo, you are the one, you have to save mankind, just wait for the updates to download, can you see the little hourglass in your mind? make it spin faster ....

Aw Jesus lord, I just got a Samsung Blackjack the runs Windows Mobile and it's such a goddamn hassle to setup. On my Vista laptop -- a WINDOWS machine -- I absolutely must have Outlook to sync my contacts, calendar and mail... even though I have independent programs that handle all those functions, a couple of them Windows programs. I really, truly can't wait for Google's Android. Even if it's basic, so long as it makes phone calls and looks at the Interwebs I'll be happy.

The one thing to keep an eye on is the ODF vs. OOXML conflict currently being played out. The one main hold MS has over the desktop market is their propriety office suite, rumbling of a standardized XML based OpenDocument Format (ODF) has caused them to worry about losing control of this monopoly, so they create their own version, always late to the trough and aggressive in nature. We can only hope the loss of this hits and there is an investor run.

Once I grow up, get a job, and get my own computer built (am currently @ uni on a laptop) - I will have as little to do with Microsoft as possible.Currently, I already use OpenOffice, Firefox and WinAmp/VLC instead of Office, Explorer & Media Player. Unfortunately, that's over Windows XP, but eventually!! I shall move on to pastures new. Or green. Nicer anyway.

Imagine you just make the jump to hyperspace and the computer crashes and won't tell you what the hell is going on. Or you are sling-shotting around the sun to travel back in time and save the whales and you get the blue screen of death. What would you do?

SEATTLE - Microsoft Corp. is pulling back from a system that disables programs on users' computers if it suspects the software is pirated, opting instead for a gentler approach based on nagging alerts.

Microsoft said late Monday it will roll out the new version of Windows Genuine Advantage with the first "service pack" for Windows Vista, due in the first quarter of 2008.

When computer users activate a copy of Windows Vista or try to download certain software from Microsoft's Web site, the Windows Genuine Advantage system scans their PCs for signs of pirated software. Today, if the tool finds an unauthorized copy of Vista, the glassy Vista user experience disappears and other features are suspended.

In the new version, PC users found to have a pirated copy of Vista will continue to be able to use their computers, but with unmistakable signs their operating system is a fake. The desktop wallpaper will turn black, and a white notice will appear alerting users to the problem. Each time they log in, they will be prompted to buy legitimate software, and every hour, a reminder bubble will appear on the screen.

Users with a high tolerance for irritation can put off switching to genuine software indefinitely, but those who relent and buy a real copy of Windows can do so at reduced prices — $119 for Windows Vista Home Premium, half the regular retail price.

Users with a high tolerance for irritation can put off switching to genuine software indefinitely, but those who relent and buy a real copy of Windows can do so at reduced prices — $119 for Windows Vista Home Premium, half the regular retail price.

Heh, so even if I want a legit version of the software, I'm better off installing a pirated version first and saving myself 120 dollars or so...

@Elohim: If you want to start switching early, find/steal/download a copy of the Ubuntu Operating system, and try it. They made it bootable so you can get a taste without committing to anything. And if you like, you can always avoid the windows tax by buying a computer with linux later on. Dell being a good option since they actually support it, not just sell you a system and tell you good luck.

Usual going rate is $50US in Microsoft tax saved off one.

*Disclaimer: Dell may or may not be signing my paychecks, but the enthusiasm is genuinely mine*

Much more stable open source systems like Linux and BSD are taking great strides as well. A few things that factor into why they aren't dominating is that they require a bit more knowledge about computers to both install/use and they lack the powerhouse marketing companies of the big two.

I've been using Linux as my main OS since like 2002. It just gets better and easier, while it seems from what I hear windows is actually regressing and getting worse. Give Ubuntu Linux a try. I don't think Windows will be maintaining its monopoly much longer. No need to worry.

I agree with lofi, mig and dan. Have a look at DistroWatch.com and read about the different distributions to find one that will suit you, most have LiveCDs so you can test the OS from a CD and not interfere with your computer.

I have used GNU/Linux for about 10 years basically because I would rather use something that was freely available then pirate something I wouldn't pay for.

Yeah, I know I'm a little late to this particular party...Isn't Ocean about - among other things - what happens when Windows takes over the Space Program?Our Fearless Leader knows about these things. Pretty spooky.

I'd have thought any operating system designed for PCs is going to face the same problems with stability that Windows does and always has done, surely it just comes with the territory. It befuddles me that people sit in front of computing machines of incredible complexity and power, designed to an open standard that any manufacturer can contribute to, and then complain when the software that has to deal with running it all doesn't work like a dream.I've had a number of different PC builds, and both Windows and Linux have been unbearable headaches that don't do what I want at one point or another. The politics of evil monopolising corporations aside, Windows crashes, Linux crashes, I'm sure Google's operating system will crash. As far as I'm aware, PCs are fundamentally hard to write stable operating systems for because of the central ethic behind their manufacture. It's one that I support though, and I am willing to put up with inevitable complications in order to do so.

Please someone correct me if I'm wrong, because I'd love it if we could have PCs that maintain that ethic and are magically as easy to write for as Macs.

You know what, I've had computers since the Spectrum was released, used windows since god knows when and yes I've had occassional problems with it, but nothing that was of any real significance, at all. Most of the problems were easily and quickly fixed and frankly my copy of '98 outlived 3 different machines. Sure MS are not perfect but then who is? As for the idea that they are a monopoly, well so what? You think if Google overtake them in the O/S. and cloud market that suddenly everything will be some kind of free utopian paradise?